JAPANESE PARTY

Southland Times, Issue 25367, 20 August 1935, Page 8

JAPANESE PARTY

MESSAGE OF GOODWILL CO-OPERATION WITH NEW ZEALAND NEW PACIFIC ERA (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, August 19. The Japanese goodwill mission, headed by Mr Katsuji Debuchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, arrived from Sydney to-day. “I bring a message of goodwill from the people of Japan to the people of New Zealand,” said Mr Debuchi, when interviewed. “It is because we have a desire to maintain not only the cordial relations of the Governments with each other, but the relations of good neighbours that I am paying this call of friendship. The friendly relations between New Zealand and Japan are of long standing, and the commerce between the two countries is daily growing greater. It is necessary that this mutual co-operation should be friendly and practical in order that the fraternity of the peoples of the Pacific may be as truly effective as the development of the new Pacific era demands.” Accompanying Mr Debuchi are Mr K. Toyoda, secretary; Mr Y. bhudo, economic adviser; Mr Ishide, private secretary, and Professor Russo, of the University of Commerce, Tokio, who is now at the Melbourne University, being attached to the mission as personal adviser to Mr Debuchi. The members of the mission were welcomed by Sir Alfred Ransom on behalf of the Government, Sir O’Grady Roche, representing Lord Galway and the heads of the naval and military forces. After the official welcome the party left for Government House, after which Mr Debuchi placed a wreath on the War Memorial. Amplifying his reference to the development of the new Pacific era, Mr Debuchi said it meant that in culture and material well-being the people of the Pacific were destined for immense progress, and just what . form their future would take it was impossible to say. In the north Japan viewed hersell as a nation diffusing Oriental culture, but it was impossible to. ignore the occidental influences which were at work. Whatever the future held rt should be international prosperity and goodwill about the shores of the Pacific. In regard to trade, New Zealand had an important role to play in supplying Japan with wool. Reciprocity Of Good Wishes. The Japanese goodwill delegation was also entertained at a State luncheon to-day, the function being attended by members of Cabinet and many prominent citizens. Proposing the principal toast, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. I Forbes said that the example of Japan was one which might well be imitated by other nations. Mr Debuchi would find the utmost goodwill in New Zealand, where always was remembered the part played by the Japanese Navy when troops from this country left for the Great War. He thought that the visit of the University Rugby team to Japan would assist to promote good relations, as New* Zealand believed that friendships of a lasting character were made on the fields of sport. On behalf of the representative assembly he wished them a pleasant and interesting time and that they would have nothing but happy memories of their visit.

Mr Debuchi, in reply, conveyed the thanks of the delegation for the cordiality’ which his party ha.l experienced since its arrival. Their reception would meet a warm response in the hearts of the Japanese people and would be taken as a spontaneous expression of the genuinely friendly’ feelings of New Zealand towards Japan. He had not brought with him any diplomatic knapsack bulging with conventions and agreements, Mr Debuchi added. Neither had he come like a commercial traveller seeking aftei’ business. His mission was one of peace and goodwill, a simple, friendly visit of one good neighbour to another. A common bond between both countries was the inestimable blessings which they had both derived from the beneficial rule of their hereditary monarchies. He was confident that their friendship would not be injured by economic difficulties, but would continue to grow in intimacy’ with the years, based on the golden rule of live and let live. There was no doubt that a golden era full of shining hopes and promises was dawning in the Pacific, and Japan and New Zealand were active partners in the building-up and consolidating of this new age. It was incumbent on them to co-operate in a spirit of harmony and goodwill for the enhancement of peace and prosperity in these regions. ASIA’S FUTURE IMPORTANCE OF JAPAN. PROFESSOR RUSSO’S VIEWS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, August 19. That as a potential guide of new Asia and as a self-appointed beacon to which she considered all Orientals should turn for material and moral guidance Japan would continue to draw the attention of the world in general and the Pacific nations in particular is the view of Professor P. A. V. Russo, who arrived at Wellington by the Marama to-day with the goodwill mission headed by Mr Katsuji Debuchi. Mr Russo was born at Ballarat, is 27 years old and is Professoi- of Foreign Languages at the Tokio Imperial University of Commerce. Two foreign lecturers in Japan were recently’ selected by the Japanese Society for International.and Cultural Relations to visit selected countries. Professor Russo was one, and has lectured under the society’s auspices in the University of Melbourne, his alma mater. He joined the goodwill mission at the invitation of the ambassador. “I personally think that there should be less interference by the Western nations in Asia,” he said. “Certainly Japan can be regarded as an ambitious country. She regards her activity in China as natural and legitimate expansion, but I have never seen the slightest indication that she covets Australian or New Zealand territory. Japan and China understand each other and what, passes for Eastern psychology very well. Geneva understands Eastern psychology not at all.”